Develop This: Economic and Community Development

What does it take to lead one of the world's most dynamic regional economies? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with Stephen Cheung, CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), to discuss his unconventional journey from social work to leading one of the nation's largest economic development organizations. Stephen shares how his diverse career shaped his leadership style and explains why listening, collaboration, and long-term thinking are essential to building resilient communities. He also discusses how Los Angeles has leveraged its diversity, innovation, and global connections to remain one of the world's leading economic hubs. The conversation explores LA's competitive advantages, including its strength in international trade, aerospace, entertainment, life sciences, and emerging industries. Stephen also highlights the importance of infrastructure, foreign direct investment, and regional partnerships in supporting long-term economic growth. Another major focus is resilience. From natural disasters to economic disruptions, Stephen explains how communities can prepare for uncertainty while continuing to attract investment and create opportunities. He also shares how Los Angeles is preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games and other global events that will shape the region's future. Throughout the episode, Stephen reflects on the importance of relationship-building, global collaboration, and embracing new technologies like AI to stay competitive in a rapidly changing economy. A key takeaway? Strong regional economies are built through collaboration, resilience, and leaders who can unite diverse stakeholders around a shared vision. Key Takeaways Diverse industry clusters strengthen long-term economic resilience International trade and global partnerships remain critical to regional growth Infrastructure and collaboration drive sustainable economic development Preparing for major global events creates lasting economic opportunities AI and emerging technologies are reshaping economic development strategies Effective leadership begins with listening and building strong relationships Key Topics Covered Stephen Cheung's journey into economic development Los Angeles' diverse economy and industry clusters International trade and foreign direct investment Regional resilience and disaster recovery Preparing for the 2028 Olympic Games Leadership, collaboration, and future economic trends Sound Bites "Stephen Cheung's career path was not linear." "LA hosts multiple major sporting events and teams." "AI is a key trend for economic developers."

How do you build a stronger profession while helping communities thrive? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with Jacqueline Brinkman, CEO of Economic Development Australia (EDA), to discuss the evolution of economic development in Australia and why collaboration, professional standards, and continuous learning are shaping the future of the industry. Jacqueline shares her career journey into economic development and reflects on the lessons she's learned leading Australia's national professional association. She explains how Economic Development Australia has expanded education, certification, and networking opportunities while strengthening the profession across the country. The conversation explores why collaboration—not competition—is one of the most important drivers of community success. Jacqueline discusses how building trust among stakeholders, encouraging knowledge sharing, and creating strong professional networks lead to better outcomes for communities and organizations alike. Dennis and Jacqueline also examine how crises such as the Australian bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated innovation, reinforced the importance of leadership, and highlighted the value of adaptable, resilient economic development organizations. Looking ahead, Jacqueline shares her perspective on the future of economic development, including the growing importance of international collaboration, professional certification, and developing the next generation of leaders equipped to solve increasingly complex economic challenges. A key takeaway? Economic development is strongest when professionals invest in collaboration, embrace lifelong learning, and build trusted relationships that create lasting community impact. Key Takeaways Collaboration consistently delivers stronger outcomes than competition. Professional standards and certification elevate the economic development profession. Trust and authentic relationships are the foundation of effective leadership. Crises can become opportunities for innovation and organizational growth. International collaboration accelerates learning and improves community outcomes. Saying "yes" to new opportunities often leads to unexpected career growth. Key Topics Covered Jacqueline Brinkman's journey into economic development The growth and mission of Economic Development Australia Professional certification and industry standards Building trust through collaboration Leading through crises and organizational change International partnerships and the future of economic development Sound Bites "Collaborate or die." "Say yes to opportunities." "Build a career by saying yes."  

How can communities identify their greatest strengths and turn them into a competitive advantage? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with Jeanette Goldsmith, President of Strategic Development Group, to discuss how communities can build a smarter asset strategy that attracts investment and supports long-term economic growth. Jeanette explains that successful economic development goes beyond available land and infrastructure. Communities must recognize both their tangible and intangible assets—from workforce and leadership to partnerships and organizational alignment—and understand how those strengths position them for future opportunities. A major focus of the conversation is the Economic Development Readiness Continuum: Stabilize, Strengthen, Prepare, and Compete. Jeanette walks through each stage, explaining how communities can assess their current position, reduce risk, and develop the capabilities needed to compete for investment. The discussion also explores common mistakes communities make, including trying to pursue every opportunity instead of focusing on industries and projects that align with their strengths. Jeanette emphasizes the importance of prioritization, collaboration, and realistic market positioning. Throughout the episode, she shares practical advice on aligning community assets with economic goals, improving organizational readiness, and balancing long-term planning with short-term wins. A key takeaway? The communities that succeed aren't the ones with the most assets—they're the ones that understand, align, and leverage their strengths with purpose. Key Takeaways Community assets include both physical infrastructure and intangible strengths Organizational alignment improves speed, execution, and competitiveness The Readiness Continuum helps communities prepare for sustainable growth Focused strategies outperform trying to chase every opportunity Understanding market realities leads to better investment decisions Long-term planning and continuous improvement drive lasting success Key Topics Covered Community asset strategy and economic development Tangible and intangible community assets The Economic Development Readiness Continuum Organizational alignment and collaboration Common asset strategy mistakes Prioritizing opportunities and building community competitiveness Sound Bites "Prepared communities know where they can win." "Intangible assets can really make a difference." "Communities that win are incredibly focused."  

How can communities build entrepreneurial ecosystems that create lasting economic opportunity? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise sits down with David Ponraj, Founder and CEO of Economic Impact Catalyst, to discuss his journey from immigrant entrepreneur to economic development leader and his mission to help communities build thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems. David shares how his experiences shaped his passion for creating pathways to prosperity and explains why supporting entrepreneurs is one of the most effective ways to drive long-term economic growth. He emphasizes that successful ecosystems go beyond programs—they connect people, resources, and opportunities to create lasting impact. The conversation explores the growing role of data, technology, and AI in economic development. David explains how communities can better measure outcomes, tell their success stories, and use technology to scale support for entrepreneurs while making smarter, data-driven decisions. Another major focus is the importance of serving rural and underserved communities. David discusses how innovation, collaboration, and ecosystem thinking can unlock opportunities regardless of a community's size or location. Throughout the episode, David offers practical advice for economic developers on moving beyond isolated initiatives, embracing outcome-based metrics, and preparing for the future of AI and workforce development. A key takeaway? Strong entrepreneurial ecosystems are built through collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and a shared commitment to creating opportunities for everyone. Key Takeaways Entrepreneurial ecosystems fuel long-term economic growth and innovation Data and impact measurement help communities improve and demonstrate results Technology and AI can expand access to entrepreneurial support Rural and underserved communities have unique strengths and opportunities Ecosystem building requires collaboration, not isolated programs Outcome-based strategies create more sustainable economic development Key Topics Covered David Ponraj's entrepreneurial journey Building entrepreneurial ecosystems Data, technology, and AI in economic development Measuring impact and telling community success stories Supporting rural and underserved communities The future of entrepreneurship and workforce development Sound Bites "Rising tide lifts all boats." "You cannot become poor in the process of becoming rich." "AI will free us from mundane tasks and focus on passions."  

How can entrepreneurship become the driving force behind stronger, more resilient communities? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise talks with Josh Mejia, Economic Development Specialist for the City of Arlington, about his unconventional journey from aspiring pediatric neurosurgeon to economic development leader and why entrepreneurship should be at the center of every community's growth strategy. Josh explains how entrepreneurship and economic development go hand in hand, arguing that thriving local businesses create the foundation for long-term economic success. He shares lessons from Brownsville's eBridge Center and how strategic partnerships can build stronger entrepreneurial ecosystems. The conversation also explores the growing role of data and technology in site selection, incentive strategies, and community planning. Josh discusses how economic developers can use data-driven insights to make smarter decisions while preparing communities for future opportunities. Another major theme is resilience. From water infrastructure to rapid population growth, Josh explains why communities must invest in long-term planning while preserving quality of place and remaining adaptable to changing economic conditions. Throughout the episode, Josh emphasizes the importance of collaboration, financial literacy, continuous learning, and developing the soft skills that today's economic development professionals need to succeed. A key takeaway? Sustainable economic growth starts with empowering entrepreneurs, building strong partnerships, and creating communities that are prepared for the future. Key Takeaways Entrepreneurship is a cornerstone of long-term economic development Data and technology improve decision-making and site selection strategies Strong partnerships create thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems Resilient infrastructure supports sustainable community growth Balancing growth with quality of place is essential for long-term success Soft skills and financial literacy are valuable tools for economic developers Key Topics Covered Josh Mejia's career journey into economic development Entrepreneurship and community growth The success of the eBridge Center Data-driven site selection and incentives Infrastructure resilience and quality of place Leadership, collaboration, and professional development Sound Bites "Economic developers facilitate job creation, they don't create jobs." "Learning a new language is a valuable skill for economic developers." "I hope my legacy is fostering collaboration and breaking silos."